Coordinated ASEAN Response to Escalating Situation in Myanmar
Ministry of Foreign AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Ang Wei Neng’s inquiry on whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would coordinate an ASEAN response to prevent further escalation in Myanmar. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan stated that Singapore supports a special ASEAN Leaders’ Summit to facilitate national reconciliation and convey concerns directly to the military authorities. He reiterated calls for the release of political detainees, the cessation of lethal force, and adherence to the ASEAN Charter’s principles. The Minister noted that ASEAN has issued statements urging restraint and dialogue while supporting the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy. Ultimately, he emphasized that while Singapore will facilitate ASEAN’s efforts, a lasting solution must be negotiated by Myanmar’s own stakeholders.
Transcript
51 Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs given the escalating violent situation in Myanmar, whether the Ministry will consider calling for a coordinated response among ASEAN countries to prevent further escalation in Myanmar.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: We are gravely concerned with the violence inflicted by the military on civilians and the escalating loss of life and injuries. This remains a key priority for ASEAN. ASEAN has issued two ASEAN Chairs’ Statements on Myanmar to date, in February and March 2021 respectively. ASEAN has repeatedly urged the Myanmar military authorities to exercise the utmost restraint, protect civilian lives, to immediately release all political detainees, and to seek a peaceful solution through constructive dialogue and practical reconciliation in the interests of the people and their livelihood. That is the only way peace and stability will return to Myanmar. It is critical for Member States to uphold the purposes and principles of the ASEAN Charter.
Singapore supports the convening of a special ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, in view of the rapidly deteriorating situation in Myanmar. The Summit would allow ASEAN Leaders to convey our views and concerns directly to the leader of the Myanmar military authorities. ASEAN Leaders can also discuss the possible ways that ASEAN can support and facilitate Myanmar’s return to the path of national reconciliation through negotiations and dialogue among all key stakeholders. We also support the efforts of UN Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener, to continue constructive engagement on the Myanmar issue.
I had set out Singapore’s response to the developments in Myanmar extensively both within and outside this House. I want to reiterate our call to the Myanmar military authorities to take immediate steps to stop further bloodshed, violence and deaths. All political detainees, including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be released immediately. We are dismayed that the death toll and number of injuries in Myanmar has continued to climb as a result of clashes between security forces and civilian protestors. Some reports put the death toll since 1 February in excess of 500. The Myanmar military authorities must exercise utmost restraint and desist from the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians.
We will continue to do what we can to support ASEAN’s efforts in facilitating a return to normalcy, peace and stability in Myanmar. As I had previously told Members, the solution lies within Myanmar. We must be realistic about the limits of external pressure. Ultimately, it is the key stakeholders who must commit to negotiate and find a solution to the political and humanitarian problems in Myanmar. We hope wisdom and good sense will prevail.